June 15, 2011

THE OAKLAND POST OAKLAND UNIVERSITY’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER

June 15, 2011

www.oaklandpostonline.com

Volume 38 // Issue 2

this month June 15 — July 19, 2011

Have a news tip for us?

Tweet @theoaklandpost and let us know what we’re missing.

THE OAKLAND POST OAKL AND UNIVERSIT Y’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER

editorial & media Kay Nguyen

Managing Content Editor managing@oaklandpostonline.com (248) 370-2537

Kaitlyn Chornoby

Jason Willis

Managing Visual Editor visual@oaklandpostonline.com (248) 370-2537

Design Editor design@oaklandpostonline.com (248) 370-4266

section editors Andy Craig Campus Editor campus@oaklandpostonline.com (248) 370-4263

photographers Jessica Carmichael Sinead Cronin Sierra Soleimani

Mike Horan Sports Editor sports@oaklandpostonline.com (248) 370-2848 Ali Armstrong Local Editor local@oaklandpostonline.com (248) 370-2848

Pan-Jumbies on the Patio // Tuesday, June 15

KAITLYN CHORNOBY/The Oakland Post

The African Ensemble and Steel Band, conducted by Mark Stone, played for onlookers on the patio outside of the Oakland Center. The band has been together since 2000 and in its eleventh year. Many of the original members are still part of the band and original songs were played for the crowd.

Nichole Seguin

Editor-in-Chief editor@oaklandpostonline.com (248) 370-4268

Sarah Wojcik Features Editor features@oaklandpostonline.com (248) 370-2848 Kevin Romanchik Scene Editor scene@oaklandpostonline.com (248) 370-2848 Mouthing Off Editor mouthingoff@oaklandpostonline.com (248) 370-2848 copy editors Clare La Torre Shawn Minnix

senior reporters Ray Andre Megan Semeraz staff reporters Brian Figurski Kevin Graham Sarah Hunton Jomar Mabborang Mayuri Munot staff interns Brittany Haney Tyrell Johnson Sonia Litynskyj Stephanie Preweda Andrea Rivera advisors Holly Gilbert Don Ritenburgh (248) 370-2848 cartoonist Kevin Hsieh distribution manager Sylvia Marburger

web Bryan Culver web@oaklandpostonline.com

6

CAMPUS // Oakland’s robotics team won 3rd place for controls and design at the Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition.

11

LOCAL // Over 2,000 businesses are involved in the a program that supports buying products made locally in Michigan.

advertising & marketing Tanner Kruse Lead Ads Manager ads@oaklandpostonline.com (248) 370-4269 Krystal Harris Ads Managers ads@oaklandpostonline.com

14

FEATURES // The Bottomless Toy Chest is a nonprofit charity organization that provides pediatric cancer patients with crafts and toys.

17

THE SCENE // Alternative bands The Maine and Augustana brought fans into Clutch Cargos on June 3rd.

Cover design by JASON WILLIS/The Oakland Post

Perspectives

June 15, 2011

3

www.oaklandpostonline.com

STAFF EDITORIAL

What are we paying for?

Tuition is up another 7 percent after an increase of almost 6 percent last year and a 9 percent hike the year before. But are students getting an equal return on their ever-increasing investment?

In our April 6 editorial, we wrote that “while we understand every group on campus has made sacrifices, students should not be the ones making the most of them.”

We’re repeating ourselves, but there is another, more important repetition at play: Major decreases in higher education funding have made Oakland University rely more heavily on revenue from tuition.

According to a report presented by Vice President of Finance and Administration John Beaghan to the board of trustees at their June 8 meeting, Oakland receives the fourth lowest amount of state funding among all Michigan public universities.

Further cuts will be made. Based on that, we understand the reasons for the tuition raise. However, it still doesn’t make it any easier for the students footing the bill. It doesn’t mean students have no say in how money gets spent, though. The general budget may have already been approved, but students can still enact change via their own slice of democracy.

Ben Eveslage, president of OU Student Congress, said he was speaking on behalf of

the student body at the meeting when he said students “are critical, but accepting” of the tuition change.

Dozens of comments made on a post on OU’s Facebook page indicated otherwise.

Students appeared to be blindsided by the decision ­— even though it came in early June, not late July as in years past.

Express yourself to ensure expenses are kept in check.

“Student Congress itself is working hard to maximize our lean budget to provide the most beneficial programs and services to the student body, while at the same time coordinating with the other student organizations to cut costs and provide the most for the student body,” Eveslage noted on his Facebook page following the tuition increase was approved.

Here’s who is spending your money.

You can influence how it is spent. It’s your student activity fee at work in a body that represents you.

This student congress administration wants you to “express yourself.” While it’s too late to reverse the decision that increased tuition, it’s time to speak up about

projects that may enhance student life, but could be considered “luxury” projects during harsh economic times.

Starting in August, Kresge Library will be open 24 hours a day, Sunday through Thursday. It will close at 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. That will cost about $95,000, according to Interim Dean Frank Lepkowski, with $10,000 coming from OUSC. In December 2009, former library dean Julie Voelck said the library does monitor how many people utilize the facility. It’s typically underused during later hours.

It’s not to say the continuation of student services is not an important task.

We are all for the campus growing into a venerable institution. Based on student sentiment, though, we don’t think it’s the right time to keep spending from student activity fees via OUSC on these projects.

The amount of money being spent on things like the library project or everpopular outdoor initiatives may seem unsubstantial, but it could go to directly help students in the form of things like scholarships.

The people spending the money need to be more prudent than ever. In turn, students need to be more proactive in participating in the dialog during critical decision-making times.

EDITORIAL BOARD Kay Nguyen, Nichole Seguin and Kaitlyn Chornoby managing@oaklandpostonline.com

CONTACT US In person:

61 Oakland Center, in the basement

By e-mail: editor@oaklandpostonline.com

By phone: 248-370-4268

Network with The OP: facebook.com/theoakpost twitter.com/theoaklandpost youtube.com/oaklandpostonline flickr.com/photos/theoaklandpost

Letter Policy: Writers must provide full name, class rank, phone number and field of study.

Please limit letters to 250 words or less.

Letters may be edited for clarity, length and grammar.

CORRECTIONS CORNER In the article “Tuition, phone app discussed,” it was wrongly reported that the program cost would be $64,000. The program will actually cost $47,600 and is not due in one lump sum.

The article “Campus cultivates crops” wrongly reported that Fay Hansen was pictured in the bottom photo. Worner and Carol Simon, other students in the class, were actually pictured.

The Oakland Post corrects all errors of fact. If you know of an error, please e-mail managing@oaklandpostonline.com or call 248.370.2537.

You can also write us at 61 Oakland Center Rochester, MI 48309.

If you are interested in writing a guest column for the Perspectives section, e-mail editor@oaklandpostonline.com or call 248.370.4268.

4 // Perspectives

June 15, 2011

www.oaklandpostonline.com

Tough requirements make OU stronger So, can Oakland University compete?

The recent cuts by state and federal governments will definitely be felt by college students everywhere, as there is no escape from a high tuition raise this year, at any school.

With these larger cuts, midmajor colleges such as Oakland will have a major struggle on their hands. However, thanks to some very difficult standards, the benefit of an OU degree has never been higher.

In Rochester, our journalism department has built a reputation as a school in the Midwest that is not only getting stronger quickly, but stands up considerably well against even Big Ten schools.

Take for example what I found when I visited Michigan State University last semester. Manag-

ing Content Editor Nichole Seguin did a piece Nov. 10, 2010 regarding the disparity between MSU and Oakland and how it wasn’t all that impressive.

I’m here to report that it’s definitely true, and just looking by requirements, OU’s degree seems to be more difficult to attain.

Don’t believe me?

In East Lansing, the number of credits in the general university requirement section only tallies up to 28. At Oakland, that number is 40.

Michigan State also has roughly 15-18 additional credits required for a degree, and OU isn’t far off with 16. Adding everything together, Oakland has more requirements than East Lansing, with 96 out of 124 credits in classes that are required to graduate.

Also, while both schools make

Shawn Minnix Copy Editor

internships mandatory before graduation, Oakland has their requirements at four credits, while at MSU, it is only one.

Central Michigan University is another school known for their program, and while their college has different areas of study such as photojournalism and online journalism, Oakland can compete in this changing marketplace and excel.

At CMU, only three credits are

allowed for internships, and they seem to be more general about their requirements as well, with only a stipulation that “65 credits have to be in the arts of sciences.”

What’s more, at Oakland 40 credits are required for a major.

At Central Michigan, that number is one less at 39. OU’s degree seems to be worth just as much, partially because of all the different areas that must be adhered to before graduation, not to mention the quality of teachers that truly do care for their students.

I’ve had the luxury to be taught by two former editor-in-chiefs, not to mention a slew of other reporters who certainly know what the business is all about. To make it all better, they know me by name.

Instead of being a number and having to swipe a card, isn’t that

what it’s all about? To be treated like “Shawn” instead of Student #134234, while learning from the best?

While the grass could always be greener, and Oakland could always do a little better, it was great to see that our requirements here hold up against the other “larger schools.”

I believe that an Oakland degree still is among the very best in the state, and exceeds even MAC schools.

The atmosphere is about constant improvement, and there is a true hunger to do better not just from the students and faculty, but completely around the campus and in the community.

Oh, so you still don’t believe that Oakland can compete?

Go ask the University of Tennessee that same question.

Lady Gaga pushes ethical boundaries, mimics Madonna Forbes Magazine labeled Lady Gaga the most powerful celebrity in the world in its annual “Celebrity 100,” even surpassing Oprah, a consistent winner of the award.

She maintains the spot as the number one person followed on Twitter, with 10 million followers in counting and tops the charts with her singles, referring to herself as a “Master of Fame” and her followers as “Little Monsters.”

America has placed Gaga onto its highest pedestal; however, she neglects to use her platform positively.

Her advancement to number one on the “Celebrity 100” only demonstrates the slip in ethics in today’s world. The power we have granted her has amplified her voice and allowed her to portray people as oversexed individuals, and also to disrespect the Christian faith.

She prides herself as a gay activist, but in her music video, “Alejandro,” she creates the image that gays are uncontrolled animals who mate with no constraint. Similarly, she depicts human kind as an unnaturally controlled race, which if allowed, would excessively mate with one another, without restriction.

She paints sex to be as casual as bath-

Haley Jonna Staff Reporter

ing, just another feel-good activity. Last I checked, monogamy is normally key to a successful relationship, and humans do not care to mate like animals. Her lyrics and messages to her fans undermine the dignity in sexual relationships.

Before I was aware of her motives, I attended one of her concerts, a stop in Auburn Hills on her world tour, “The Monster Ball.”

Her continuous references to sex took the enjoyment out of the show. In so many words, hers being even more vulgar, she incessantly encouraged her audience to get naked, even going as far as requesting that the men expose their genitals. I watched as mothers dragged their children out of the stadium in fear that this would be the woman that their children grew to idolize.

Pushing the boundaries even further, Gaga also uses her position to insult the Christian church, specifically in her single and music video, “Judas” and also in the music video of “Alejandro.”

As a Catholic, I am not offended. Her attempts to put down the church are an obvious ploy for controversy. She figures she can follow in the footsteps of pop legend Madonna, who once burned a cross in the music video of “Like A Virgin.” Been there, done that, Gaga! Bravo to your attempts at impersonating the infamous scandals of Madonna.

Lady Gaga represents one of many celebrities who use their voices only to further their own careers and agendas. So with only her best interest at heart, she is the last person that I would care to honor with so much power.

Understandably, she craves the fame, but she need not gain it at the expense of the church.

While in the statements from the Vatican the church remains unprovoked, Gaga crossed the line from creativity to disrespect.

Do we really want a person whose fame is built off controversy to be a powerful, influ-

encing factor in our culture? How far is too far before Gaga crosses the line?

For me, she crossed the line with her costumes that directly disrespected the most adored religious objects of the church. She positioned a Catholic cross on her crotch and thought she could get a way with it by calling it “art.” Gaga has made her feelings about the restrictions of the church clear, but if she hopes to discriminate against religion, why limit her complaints to just one creed?

Gaga has swallowed a rosary, mocked the Catholic religious life by dressing in their vestments and used terms typically associated with Jesus to express her adoration for the man responsible for his death, Judas.

And, yet, she continues to “thank God,” as if she’s faithful. She mocks everyone in assuming we would believe her.

The charade will only continue as her popularity continues to grow, and the controversy she creates only further amplifies her voice. So, what’s our part? Don’t feed into the controversy. Quiet her voice. If you are not a Christian or if you are not offended by her promotion of sexual freefor-alls, then remain weary, because she will step on any toes to maintain her own fame.

Campus

June 15, 2011

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www.oaklandpostonline.com

Tuition increase approved Reduced state funding spurs 7 percent hike for OU students

By RAYMOND ANDRE Senior Reporter

Members of the board of trustees voted last Wednesday to approve Oakland University’s general fund budget and tuition rates for the 2012 fiscal year,which involved approving a 7 percent tuition increase to graduate and undergraduate tuition.

The budget was presented to the board

by Vice President of Finance and Administration John Beaghan.

The state allocated $43 million to OU for the upcoming year, placing it eighth among the state’s 15 public universities in state funding, with University of Michigan receiving the most state money — $268 million — and Lake Superior State University at $11 million.

Beaghan pointed out that figures cannot tell the story of enrollment differences in amongst the schools.

“If you were to look at those dollars based on fiscal-year equated students, the number of full-time students that we have and divide our appropriations by that number by that number we only really receive about $2,719 per student.”

Beaghan said this amount “is significantly lower than the state average of $4170 per student.”

Beaghan also pointed out that state appropriations for public universities are not paid in this way ­— dollars-per-student — but, rather, in a lump sum.

During his presentation, Beaghan highlighted the changes in state financing of OU. In 1972, OU received 71 percent of its budget from tuition. For the 2012 fiscal year, the university will receive 19 percent of its budget from the state and 80 percent from tuition. The remaining one percent will come from other sources.

OU’s enrollment has “steadily increased” each year, Beaghan said, “which has helped the general fund budget.”

The board approved a budget of $200 million, with an expenditure-side increase of about four percent.

The budget strategy for the coming year is, what Beaghan called “a continuation pricing transparency practice,” representing the total cost of attendance by accounting for all fees, “with a goal of having undergraduate tuition rates below the state average.”

Because of a clause built into Michi-

gan’s 2012 fiscal budget, the seven percent increase is the lowest a Michigan public institution can raise tuition without incurring an additional seven percent cut in state funding by the legislature.

A 15 percent cut to state funding of public universities, amounting to $7.6 million loss

by OU, is the primary cause of the 2012 budget and tuition changes.

Board chair Henry Baskin said that, though the cuts to OU’s aid are “Draconian,” the university “is going to make it … and it’s primarily because of the (school’s) administration.”

Virinder Moudgil, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost said that the school will “keep quality up,” and added that the problem is not with the school, but with Michigan’s legislature.

“Something has to change in the state,” he said.

Benjamin Eveslage, OU Student Congress president, who said he was there to represent students’ opinions said, “We are critical, but accepting.”

TUITION

The financial breakdown 15% - amount of state funding cut from Michigan public universities 7% - amount tuition raised at OU for the 2012 fiscal year $43 million - state allocation to OU for the 2011-12 school year $7.6 million - amount lost by OU due to state funding cuts 8th - Position out of 15 Michigan schools receiving state funding 19% - amount of OU’s 2012 budget from the state of Michigan 80% - amount of OU’s 2012 budget from tuition

continued on page 7

OU professor pleads no contest in Monday trial

By NICHOLE SEGUIN

Managing Content Editor

An Oakland University professor charged of stalking a former student, a misdemeanor, pleaded no contest at a competency hearing on June 13.

According to prosecutors, Srinarayan Sharma, 43, an associate professor of management information systems in the school of business administration, contacted the victim multiple times via email after she had a class with him in Fall 2009.

On Jan. 24 their communication took a more serious turn when Sharma encouraged the former student to murder his wife and children and leave the country with him, according to court documents.

According to the Michigan Prosecutor’s website, a no contest plea is treated the same way a guilty plea would be treated by a sentencing judge. The plea means he doesn’t say he’s guilty or that he’s innocent; he just has no contest. “(Sharma) plead no contest be-

cause he wants to resolve this case and go on with his life,” said Jerry Sabbota, Sharma’s attorney. “He’s tired of remaining in limbo and wants to move on.”

At the hearing — held before Judge Julie Nicholson in the 52-3 District Court — Sharma’s defense team made a motion to remove his tether. Oakland County Assistant Prosecutor Layne Sakwa argued against the motion.

“The facts of this case are quite scary, for lack of a better word,” Sawka said.

Nicholson denied the request.

In May, Sharma made a request for out of state travel to Cleveland, Miss. for a job interview.

The request was approved as long as he complied with all other conditions of his Michigan bond.

According to Sharma’s attorney, he interviewed for the position May 18-20. He would not say what job Sharma applied for.

Sharma is not on the fall schedule at Oakland.

Sentencing for Sharma will take place at 1:15 p.m. on July 26 at the 52-3 District Court in Rochester Hills, Mich.

SINEAD CRONIN/The Oakland Post

OU professor Srinarayan Sharma plead “no contest” to charges.

6 // Campus

June 15, 2011

www.oaklandpostonline.com

Robotics team takes home 3rd at IGVC

By KEVIN GRAHAM Staff Reporter

Oakland put together a strong performance at the 19th annual Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition held on campus June 3-6. Oakland took home 3rd place for both design and standardization of controls, earning $3000 for the robotics program.

Along with the OU robot, “Botzilla,” the team consists of a mix of 15 graduate and undergraduate students who estimate they have put 1500 man-hours into readying the robot for competition, beginning last year.

“It’s a lot of time,” said graduate student Steve Grzebyk, who spent an entire year on his part alone.

The competition incorporated several distinct components, including obstacle navigation, the search of various points on a course via GPS and speed control. In addition, the team met several requirements for the standardization of their control system.

Obstacle avoidance was a particular focus

for the team.

“The vision system that the robot uses to detect objects in its surroundings is the most difficult system to develop,” said Micho Radnikovich, Ph.D. student and president of the Oakland Robotics Association.

Botzilla uses a camera, which feeds images to a computer. Using those images and a sophisticated bit of computer code, the robot is able to negotiate obstacles and maintain lane position.

Another feature of this year’s robot is its innovative steering system “(The robot can) steer its front and back wheels independently, which gives it a lot of mobility,” Radnikovich said.

Botzilla also has a black fiberglass exterior case, essentially creating a rain proof cover over the system’s sensitive wiring.

With a sharp exterior, combined with a delicately structured system and loads of work, Oakland’s team was able to find success.

The design portion involved submitting a

KAITLYN CHORNOBY/The Oakland Post

IGVC challenges students to build an unmanned robot to navigate through obstacles. detailed written report illustrating how the robot works as well as an estimated cost of production. This is followed by an on-site oral presentation in front of a panel of competition judges.

The Joint Architecture for Unmanned Systems (JAUS) challenge involves stan-

dardizing control mechanisms so that they may be compatible with military systems.

In this case, the robot was required to follow commands to drive to GPS points as directed by the JAUS system.

The 2011 finish represents a significant improvement after finishing sixth in 2010.

Campus tragedy inspires fund for awareness

By RAYMOND ANDRE Senior Reporter

The sudden suicide of sophomore Corey Jackson last fall served as a catalyst for awareness among the campus community and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals.

Many didn’t know how to respond to the shocking news of his suicide. Despite the pain of this very personal tragedy, close friends Jake Hendricks and Matt Krajenke, both 21, saw a story that went untold and decided to take action.

Two weeks after Jackson’s death, Hendricks and Krajenke started a Facebook group called The Corey Jackson Memorial Fund to raise money for Jackson’s family to help cover funeral costs; then later, to promote awareness of the problem of LGBT youth suicide.

“We want people to (realize) that suicide is a big deal,” Hendricks said. “We don’t want this to get swept under the rug.”

Over the past seven months, Hendricks and Krajenke have approached OU students and friends and family of Jackson.

“Response has been limited, but a lot of Corey’s close friends and family are aware of it. They said that if I want to take it further that they would do everything they possibly could to help,” Krajenke said.

Hendricks and Krajenke would also like to get the fund involved around campus with activities at OU. Alexa Van

Vliet, OU junior psychology major and President of OU’s Gay Straight Alliance, said she wasn’t aware of the group until recently, but has discussed plans for cooperative fundraisers with the GSA and the school’s Gender and Sexuality Center to take place in coming months.

“Facebook is not really a way to make this known,” Hendricks said. “We need a bigger picture, we need something to catch peoples’ attention.” He and Krajenke want to expand the Corey Jackson Memorial Fund to better serve the community and to reach more people with their message.

Hendricks says he would like to have the fund raise money for LGBT resource centers and establish a hotline that would assist LGBT youth.

“Basically, we want to help people who think they’ve hit rock bottom,” Hendricks said. “We want them to know their worth and value.”

At the moment the group is only represented through Facebook, but Krajenke and Hendricks want to expand their Web reach as well. The only barrier, according to Hendricks, is obtaining the necessary funding to do so.

“I want (the fund) to be advertised, but we just don’t have the means yet to do that,” he said. “We want to create a Web site, and we’re currently trying to find people who specialize in Web design. It’s all a matter of the money to get that started.”

James Bialk, OU’s Gender and Sexuality Center’s student coordinator for summer, described LGBT suicides as a problem that is severely under-represented.

According to Bialk, OU does a lot more for gay and straight students in need of counseling and assistance. He also suggested that the university could do more to promote the services provided by the Graham Health Center, like counseling and STD tests, and the support offered by the GSC. Shane Viars, a 24-year-old history major, expressed disappointment following Jackson’s death.

“They (the university) could have done more to set up a larger prevention effort,” Viars said.

He recalled the e-mail President Gary Russi sent to students and staff at OU the day after Jackson’s death.

“It just said, ‘If you need help, we’re here, or if you know anybody who does, contact Graham Health Center,’ but there wasn’t any number or warning signs to look for,” he said.

Viars said the response was disorganized and misinformed.

Viars hopes that resources similar to the Corey Jackson Memorial Fund will keep spreading the word about a problem that is growing on a national level.

“Anything that can draw attention to the issue, that can truly help create awareness is good — it’s necessary if it can create an impact more than just a superficial gesture.”

For more information about The Corey Jackson Memorial Fund, visit its Facebook page.

Students seeking counseling can visit the Graham Health Center on campus or call (248)-370-2341.

7 // Campus

www.oaklandpostonline.com

June 15, 2011

Career services assists in job search

By MEGAN SEMEREZ Senior Reporter

For most students, the core reason for pursuit of a college degree is to obtain a job.

In today’s job market and economy, graduates sometimes struggle to find work. That is where OU career services comes in, helping students and alumni gain the competitive edge employers are looking for.

Career services strives to help students and alumni attain lifelong career success.

The goal is to help the center’s clients, students, prepare for the job hunt.

“The mission of Career Services is to provide career readiness and career preparedness services for students and alumni,” said Wayne Thibodeau, director of career services.

According to Thibodeau, students can work with an adviser at any point in their academic career and after graduating. The adviser will help students meet their individual needs and goals.

“Career Consultants can help students develop a job search strategy, create a professional resume, practice interview skills, network for job leads and identify career events and programs to aid their job search,” Thibodeau said.

Stephen Parker, an OU graduate of mechanical engineering, found that using career services ultimately helped him land his

TUITION

continued from page 5 “I believe that students are accepting of the proposed tuition increase of 7 percent, as long as our personal budgets are able to compensate in due time,” Eveslage added, referring to students’ need to learn of the tuition increases to allow for their re-budgeting.

Other business was also approved during Wednesday’s meeting.

The board unanimously accepted a resolution honoring student liaison Marta Bauer for her dedication and leadership skills while holding her appointed position.

The board unanimously ac-

job at Chrysler.

“Their (career services) staff is a group of specialists that know the in’s and out’s of the professional world,” Parker said.

Career services taught Parker the basics like resumé editing, and they helped him get his first internship as well.

“As an 18-year-old student coming in, I certainly was unaware of many of the strategies and techniques that were sometimes round one basics to them,” Parker said.

“Even so, I still find myself learning from Career Services at every interaction and I have a feeling this likely applies to nearly all students, no matter the age.”

One thing that Thibodeau stressed is that the time is never too early to start thinking about the future. Students can go to career services at any point and also attend a wide variety of career-related events for free.

“As freshman and sophomores, students can begin to create a professional resumé and conduct informational interviews to assist them with defining their career aspirations,” Thibodeau said.

Rachel Reardon, a graduate of French language and literature with a minor in advertising, believes that all students should take advantage of the service. They helped her build a portfolio and gain confidence for her job hunt.

“I learned job search skills that helped me land a job that combines both my fields of

cepted a resolution honoring student liaison Marta Bauer for her dedication and leadership skills while holding her appointed position.

Bauer was appointed to the position by President Gary Russi.

Mary Beth Snyder, vice president for student affairs thanked Bauer for her “outstanding academic achievements, involvement in diverse extracurricular activities and service as student liaison to the Oakland University board of trustees.”

The selection of the architecture and engineering firm of Smith Group to construct OU’s planned School of Engineering, along with a plan for financing was the last item the board considered.

study,” Reardon said. “I felt confident and prepared throughout the job search process because I had gone through practice interviews, resume critiques, had my questions answered and discussed networking strategies with career consultants.”

Students can also use a website called OUCareerLink.com to seek full-time, part-time, or campus jobs and internships.

According to Thibodeau, internships are something that all college students should experience. Doing more than one internship can help your chances of landing a job.

“Employers expect students to attain 1-2 internships prior to graduation,” Thibodeau said.

Another move that all students should be making to increase their odds is networking. Thibodeau, Reardon and Parker all agreed that networking is key throughout an education and the progression to professionalism — both on and off campus.

“Eighty percent of jobs today are found in the hidden job market.. developing connections with family, friends, peers, neighbors (and) professional organizations can help you learn about trends in a given industry but also establish contacts which could lead to more networking and job prospects in the future,” Thibodeau said.

Career services is located in 154 North Foundation Hall. Call 248-370-3250 for more information.

The board approved the selection of Smith Group as construction firm for OU’s school of engineering.

The building will be funded primarily by board approved bonds and has a November 4 deadline for submission of building plans. The estimated cost for planning and is $350 thousand.

Louay Mohamad Chamra, Dean of the School of Engineering and Computer Science, spoke of plans to have a “living lab” environment to teach and live the ideals of clean energy.

Chamra said that this school of engineering building is “most important for the students,” whom, he said, “have been cramped and forced into different buildings.”

Though engineering-student enrollment was down in past years, Chamra said that enrollment for engineering has risen since the announcement of the new building.

The board also approved the lease and easement agreement that would finance the building of the school of engineering.

Building the school of engineering will cost $65 million, $40 million of which will be financed by the state building authority with the remaining $25 million coming from university grants.

Michigan’s State Building Authority will finance the building through bonds and OU will receive the deed for the property after paying on behalf of the Michigan’s SBA.

OU PostSecret Student Congress, inspired by PostSecret, in establishing an anonymous community project which gathers submissions from students on campus. Submissions can consist of hidden truths, past regrets and hopes for the future.

Students can pick up postcards by the OUSC office in the basement of the OC and drop them off in locations around campus or submit them online.

Windmill Focusing on green inititives, OU’s Student Congress has proposed the introduction of a wind turbine on campus. The wind turbine will cover approximately 10-15% of the university’s power consumption.

According to OUSC, the windmill would provide a key academic tool for the expansion of the engineering department.

New Campus degrees The creative writing major has been approved by the Presidents Council of State Universities of Michigan and will be in effect in 2012. An Early Eduction and Intervention specialist degree will also be offered in the education department.

For more information, visit oakland.edu Library to be open 24/5 Starting in August, Kresge library will remain open for 24 hours Sunday-Thursday nights for a pilot program. It will be open Friday and Saturday until 2. If student interest is great, the plan will become a permanent addition.

OUSC president Ben Eveslage said that OUSC plans to host late night study sessions to engage activity at the library.

— Compiled by Kaitlyn Chornoby, Managing Visual Editor

8 // Campus

June 15, 2011

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OrgSync allows club connection off campus

By JOMAR MABBORANG Staff Reporter

As the summer semester begins, Oakland University uses the time to make improvements or changes to the campus while there aren’t as many students walking around.

The Center for Student Activities have jumped on the bandwagon as they beta test a new program to replace many components that groups would need online and in campus offices. The program is called OrgSync and will be renamed GrizzOrg to brand it with the campus name once the system is fully implemented at Oakland, according to Center for Student Activities Assistant Director of Leadership Christopher Jensen.

“GrizzOrg is a student management system that connects (club) officers and for the average student on campus to get involved,” he said.

Once logged onto the system, students familiar with Facebook will notice a similar appeal. A student then can create a log in

through their Oakland email and check out what is happening on campus through the new resource. While students who belong to an organization or club will be open to many more features, such as meetings and fundraisers, many more students stand to benefit from GrizzOrg. According to Jensen, the ease of using GrizzOrg comes from its simplicity. Like Facebook, students can access multiple online modules in a single place.

Since Oakland University is a commuter college, this lets organizations take advantage of things from home, such as having CSA resources open to them as needed, not just during normal business hours.

“With the CSA limited on open office hours, GrizzOrg lets an officer, say, print out a form at 2 a.m. if they forgot to pick it up, rather than waiting for the center to open,” Jensen said.

GrizzOrg is functional and customizable, but also environmentally friendly, since groups on campus receiving paper statements of their treasury account will now

are

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ally run collegiate program. The new framework has no room for inappropriate content.

“Facebook is for that,” Jensen said. ”Not GrizzOrg.” Since its debut, OrgSync has been used across the country from California to New York, and the site has the ability for groups who have multiple chapters around the nation to communicate directly in this portal.

Jensen communicated with other institutions about OrgSync in preparation for its deployment at OU, and his findings suggest a solid track record for the program. In fact, some universities in the U.S. report to already have 100 percent student involvement with the website. Jensen said that reason was one that made the decision to go with OrgSync even easier.

With GrizzOrg about to arrive at Oakland, students can expect a change this fall.

The inaugural year of the system could be the start of something new for clubs and orgs alike — even for students who simply want to get involved on campus.

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only receive an e-bill on their group.

This will also replace how a student group registers on campus. Instead of the “manage my org” tab on the CSA website, GrizzOrg will be the management system. After the beta testing concludes in the summer, Jensen is hopeful the CSA can introduce this system to the groups on campus during the annual Organization Training where they register annually.

Although the OrgSync company is separate from OU administration, the university will have eyes in the cyber sky to monitor content posted to the OU-affiliated website.

Since the site will be a collegiate production, anything posted on the website will be Oakland property. Accordingly, all of its content will be reviewed based on the OU Academic Code of Conduct. Violations of the code will have consequences, much like other student activity that is governed by the set of rules.

Jensen explained that the content on GrizzOrg will reflect that of a profession-

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June 15, 2011

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Siblings race to prelims

By KEVIN GRAHAM Staff Reporter

Distance running siblings Zack and Lia Jones finished Oakland’s track season strong by competing in the NCAA Division I semi-finals on May 26-28 in Bloomington, Ind. Senior Zack closed his Oakland career by coming in 26th place in a field of 48 runners in the semi-final of the 10,000 meters.

“Zack was always a hard worker, very disciplined, and a great leader for our program,” track and field coach Paul Rice said. “This was a special year because the goal of qualifying for the NCAA postseason preliminary round is something we talked about well over a year ago.

“This year, knowing that it was his last shot, he worked hard, took good care of his body, and really stayed determined.”

Lia, entering her senior year, became the first female in Oakland history to make the NCAA Championships.

Lia ran a 16:59.24 to place 13th in her heat and finished in 28th out of 48 runners in the semi-final of the 5000 meter event.

“She did a really great job of really taking care of her body,” Rice said, pointing to the fact that they were able to keep her from injury as a key to her performance. “She’s a

very mature athlete and a very determined competitor.”

Lia felt that an increasing belief in her abilities was a key to success for her.

“I have learned, when it comes to a race, I need to be confident in the training I have put in and know I can hit the mark I set out to hit,” Lia said.

Because they didn’t race that much, it was important for Zack and Lia to make every race count.

“When you have an elite athlete like Zack and Lia,” Rice said, “they really are hungry to race, and they’re focused on their training.”

Earlier this season, Zack set a school record in the 10,000 meters with a time of 30:01.49 at the Drake Relays, which qualified him for Nationals, adding to a record previously set in the 5000 meters.

He also finished third in the 5000 meter events at both the indoor and outdoor league championships.

At the cross-country league championships, he finished in second place. Additionally, he was named to the All-District Academic Team for the third straight year.

Along with her accomplishments during track season, Lia was an integral part of the Oakland’s women’s cross-country team, which took home the league championship.

Lia sees her brother Zack as a source of support for her.

“We have always been wanting the best for each other,”

COURTESY OF OU ATHLETICS

Lia Jones became the first female in Oakland University history to reach the NCAA Championships. she said. “Zack has taught me a lot not about running itself but more important about never taking anything too seriously and keeping things in perspective.”

“It’s the furthest thing from a rivalry,” Rice said. “They help keep each other calm and focused. It’s fun to watch them interact.”

Zack and Lia combined to form quite the dynamic duo for Oakland’s track squad, both on and off the track.

More money, many more problems COLUMN I remember a time when I was younger and I watched college football in amazement.

Mesmerized by the passion and sense of unity that came with rooting for a school, specifically The University of Michigan, for as far back as I can remember.

My hatred for the team south of us, The Ohio State University, is rooted deep in my childhood and I cannot explain truly why.

Watching the Wolverines take on the Buckeyes with my family on my mother’s side at my uncle’s house on late November afternoons are memories that are embedded in my brain.

As I’ve gotten older (and hope-

Kevin Romanchik Scene Editor

fully wiser), the clean view of what I believed to be innocent sports has become messier.

I’d be lying if I said that the recent allegations involving OSU did not make me laugh, but they speak to a greater issue that is affecting everything on the college gridiron to the hardwood: money rules all.

Whether we want to admit it, NCAA violations occur at every major university in the nation, regardless if they get caught or get away with it.

Becoming an elite athletic program now takes getting your hands dirty.

This is obvious by looking at some of the most recent elite universities: Auburn ­­— facing questions regarding the recruitment of quarterback Cam Newton.

Oregon — The university paid $25,000 to a scouting agent that helped in the signing of WR Lache Seastrunk.

USC — The NCAA hammered the school with sanctions, including the loss of their 2004 NCAA

Football Championship, for infractions regarding running back Reggie Bush and basketball star O.J Mayo.

Tennessee — under investigation for NCAA recruiting violations in both the football and men’s basketball program With million dollar television deals, state-of-the-art stadiums, and boosters galore, every school is expected to perform and this can only be achieved by getting five-star talent at every position, any way possible.

Major conference college football is the big money maker; profits are at an all-time high.

CNNMoney reports, “The richest college football programs got richer in 2010, pocketing more

than $1 billion in profits for the first time.”

Not all schools are profiting though. During the 2009-10 school year, Wake Forest reported a loss in profits.

Regardless of the numbers, something needs to change.

The NCAA needs to start laying down stricter sanctions or something further down the legal road as the culture and, more importantly, the future of college sports are at stake.

The spark that got me into college sports at a young age is at risk of being tarnished by the transgressions of individuals.

The passion and integrity of today’s game are slowly dropping as the money begins to rise.

10 // Sports

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June 15, 2011

NBA draft next for OU's Benson Oakland center looks to impress, make impact at the next level CAREER AWARDS Two-time Summit League Player of the Year 2010, ‘11 Summit League Defensive Player of the Year 2011 AP All-America Honorable mention in 2010, ‘11 Second player in Summit League to surpass 1,500 points and 1,000 rebounds Summit League record holder in blocked shots: 371 School record holder in defensive rebounds (772) School record holder in double-doubles (49) Lou Henson Award winner in 2010 (Top Mid-Major Player)

CAREER STATS Senior Year Points per Game: 17.9 Rebounds per Game: 10.1 Career Points: 1903 Career Rebounds: 1103 Career Blocks: 371

By MICHAEL HORAN Sports Editor

When Keith Benson was first being recruited by the Oakland Basketball program, head coach Greg Kampe saw a work in progress and a familiarity.

“We had a player in the NBA named Rawle Marshall at the time we were recruiting (Benson).

Rawle was a long, athletic 6’-7”, could guard and had the prototype NBA body. Well, we looked at Keith as a senior in high school and he was weak, but he had that long, athletic body,” Kampe said.

“One of the things they love about him in this draft is his wingspan. He’s grown to 6-11 and he’s got a 7-4 wingspan, so we saw that. Was he real good at that time? No, but we just had all that success with Marshall and we liked his body, so that’s the real reason we recruited him.”

Kampe’s work-in-progress is now considered one of Oakland University's basketball greats, a late first, early second round prospect in the NBA Draft on June 23 and Benson is ready to prove he’s worthy.

“I don’t agree with the second round part,” Benson said. “I think I have the talent to be a first round type of player. I think the type of competition we played, playing a lot of the better schools, I got a lot of individual attention there and they put a lot of focus on me. That got me ready for this.”

Kampe agreed with Benson's projections.

“From what I’ve heard he’s going to go anywhere from 15, 16 to 35, somewhere in there. You never know what’s going to happen in the draft, you never know how it’s going to turn,” Kampe said.

"We’ve watched guys that we thought were going to be in the top five end up in the second round. So you never know how it’s going to go, but based on the interest and what I’m hearing, I think somewhere between 15 and 35.”

Since declaring for the draft, Benson has been enjoying working out for many NBA teams, showcasing his talents to scouts, management and coaches.

KEVIN ROMANCHIK/The Oakland Post

Keith Benson is projected as a late first, early second round pick in the upcoming NBA draft June 23.

“I like the opportunity to get to be around the upper management for the teams and sometimes the head coach comes and the GM,” Benson said, “so I like getting a work out in front of them.”

“I think he’s going to succeed in the NBA, there’s no question in my mind.

He’s going to be in that league for 10-12 years probably."

-Greg Kampe OU Head Basketball Coach

Although Benson hopes to be drafted in the first round, he said “it would mean a lot” to get a chance to play for the Detroit Pistons who hold the 33rd pick in the second round.

“I think they’ve had an opportunity to see me a lot since I’ve been playing these four years,” Benson said. “I’ve always followed the Pistons and it’s always been a dream of mine to play on the Pistons.

That would mean a lot to me to

get a chance to play for them.”

During his career at Oakland, Benson began grabbing national attention for his performances against ranked teams, most notably his game-high 28 points and nine rebounds against No. 18 Pittsburgh and his 15 point, 11 rebound performace against No. 16 Texas in the NCAA Tournament in 2010 and 2011, respectively.

Benson went on to claim backto-back Summit League Player of the Year awards in 2010 and 2011, among other awards, and developed into a scoring threat who could also defend the paint.

“He was a great one,” Kampe said. “He led us to 91 wins in his four years here. All the accolades, he was conference player of the year, he scored 1,500 points, had a 1,000 rebounds, had 5-600 blocked shots, his numbers are off the charts.

“He was a quiet kid who never caused you any trouble. He was a hard worker, he never missed a practice, never missed a game with injury. Tough kid, that was a winner.”

Benson doesn’t have set plans

for the NBA Draft and may attend the event.

For now he is continuing to focus on his work outs for the NBA teams, trying to prove himself to general managers around the league.

“They’ll get an athletic player who can run the floor,” Benson said. “I can be a scoring option in the post or a pick-and-pop scorer, a person who can protect the paint. I think I’m a versatile player that can get better every year.”

What was a work-in-progress, will soon be a NBA player, and Kampe believes Benson will make an impact where ever he ends up as he continues to develop his game.

“I think he’s going to succeed in the NBA, there’s no question in my mind,” Kampe said. “He’s going to be in that league for 10-12 years probably. Will he be an all-star?

I don’t know, that will depend on his body development. The biggest thing he has right now is getting physically bigger from the hips down.”

The draft will be on June 23 at 7 p.m. on ESPN.

Local

June 15, 2011

11

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Buy Michigan, buy local

By ALI ARMSTRONG Local Editor

Many people might not think too much of where the products they buy come from, but today more people are joining efforts to buy local and buy Michigan.

That’s the way more and more Michigan businesses are thinking these days as efforts and campaigns to buy local are becoming more and more popular in today's society.

With a variety of campaigns and festivals devoted to keeping the Michigan economy strong, consumers and business owners alike have ample opportunities to help support their local economy and keep their money in Michigan.

Over 2,000 businesses are involved in the It’s My Michigan, a program that allows its members exclusive discounts, like 10 percent off purchases, at various businesses all over Michigan.

Members can also save money on their health care bills with a health care discount card.

"When you show your card at any of these It's My Michigan businesses, you get the same discount every single time for a full year," Patrick Kizer, creator of It's My Michigan, said.

Big Boy chains, Dunham’s, The Salvation Army, Dairy Queen, Holiday Inn, Little Caesars and Curves are just some of the local businesses that are involved with the program.

"I decided to develop something that would help Michigan residents, Michigan businesses and Michigan schools … The purpose of it was to make sure everyone would win and everyone would benefit from it," Kizer said. “The whole point was to make it all for Michigan.”

It's My Michigan members receive discounts at select businesses across the state as well as other exclusive discounts.

Michigan residents can purchase a membership for It’s My Michigan for a one-time fee of $20 at www.itsmymichigan. com.

“This is a great program to help jump-start the Michigan economy, especially since you can use it throughout the entire state with everything from traveling, food, clothing and lodging,” Lisa Forbes, manager of Arrow Printing and It’s My Michigan member, said.

At www.buymichigannow.com visitors can take a pledge to help play and active role in strengthening Michigan's economy. Over 5,700 Michigan residents have already taken the pledge.

The site also has a searchable directory that makes finding Michigan-based businesses even easier.

Founder Lisa Diggs started the campaign in November 2007 to help consumers realize where their money was going for the holiday shopping season.

Four years later, Buy Michigan Now produces a new holiday gift guide each year, has a grocery guide on their website listing Michigan grocery brands and has 2,700 businesses listed in their online directory.

“We have businesses that started with us in the very beginning that were operating out of their home and now they are running in a store front, and they really credit that to this movement to buy from Michigan companies,” Diggs said. “It’s not going to be a company that comes in with 10,000 jobs, it’s going to be 10,000 small businesses that hire one other person.”

The campaign encourages consumers to buy Michigan brands as often as possible and helps them to identify local buying opportunities.

The Buy Michigan Now campaign also hosts a festival each year, the Buy Michigan Now Festival, which features sidewalk and street sales from Michigan-based businesses highlighting Michigan-made products.

The third annual Buy Michigan Now Festival will be held

Smoking ban violation The Copper Door bar in Westland was shut down for a night after a heath official saw a patron breaking the state's smoking ban.

Before the bar was shut down, owners had received several complaints, two letters and a visit where a health inspector issued a violation. Records show the owner of the bar was also fined in March for a similar smoking violation.

JEN BUCCIARELLI/The Oakland Post

Sanders is one Michigan business that supports local buying.

August 5-7 in downtown Northville.

"We would like to continue doing festivals like this in three or four other cities around the state as well ... but it all depends on companies to see the value in what we are doing and help us to keep it going," Diggs said.

At www.michigan-made. com visitors can search through lists of products that are made exclusively in Michigan, everything from beauty products and fashion, to auto and food. All of the products are available for purchase online.

Think Local First is aiming to support independent businesses in Washtenaw County by raising awareness and developing strategies to help support small businesses. They also listed seven reasons why consumers should think local first.

Think Local First currently has over 500 businesses who are a part of their campaign.

“Big Boy is really a Michigan company. It started in California, but is headquartered in Warren. Today, we are buying as many Michigan products as we possibly can. We just want to make sure that we are a Michigan company. We are from here and we support the Michigan people,” George Henney, owner of Big Boy in Waterford, said.

Hiller's Market is another company with local initiatives.

The company identifies their products that are Michiganmade, has a Hometown First campaign that gives shoppers who spend $100 a coupon that can be redeemed at many Michigan businesses and they host a Michigan Food Fair which showcases the products of Michigan businesses.

Many major businesses call Michigan home for their company headquarters and take pride in being a Michigan company. Major names like Little Caesars, Biggby Coffee, Moosejaw, Better Made Potato Chips, Kellogs, Hungry Howie's, Art Van, La-Z-Boy, Flagstar Bank, Faygo, Carhartt and Sanders are just some companies that are based out of Michigan.

A small company in Grand Rapids found success after taking a pledge to buy local.

Atomic Object, a small software firm, does business with local companies as often as possible and receives 60 percent of their business from within Michigan.

The company has a strong belief to do businesses with local companies as often as possible, everywhere from the restaurants they eat at, to their heath care providers.

With every dollar spent, consumers can help support Michigan when they buy local.

Graduation party shooting A Warren teen was shot and killed at a graduation party in Pontiac early Sunday morning.

The teen entered the party after a fight had broken out between two groups of guests earlier. According to police, the teen was gunned down as he entered the party, in a case of mistaken identity.

Three individuals are now in police custody. One of the suspects was carrying a legal pistol, and a second handgun was also involved.

Large power outage Thousands of people in the Detroit area were out of power last week. The outage was caused by extreme power demand for air conditioning.

The power outage closed buildings like the Coleman Young Municipal Center and cancelled classes at Wayne State University and Detroit Public schools. The Detroit People Mover was also out of operation because of the outage.

Medicaid fraud fugitive A Michigan man was added to a national Most Wanted list of Medicare fraud fugitives. The man is being charged in an $18 million scam.

The man fled the country after being confronted by authorities about his participation in the scam. ­ — Compiled by Ali Armstrong, Local Editor

12 // Local

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June 15, 2011

Cash-only causes concern More city restaurants eliminate credit cards

By BRIAN FIGURSKI Staff Reporter

In the modern day of fast and convenient, it might be hard to imagine walking into a store and being rejected the quick swipe of a credit card for payment.

For local businesses touting the “cash only” sign, troubling times may be more prominent now than in the past.

“Since I have owned the business for 15 years, I have not accepted any debit or credit cards,” David Lee, owner of Knapp’s Donuts located in downtown Rochester, said. “We try to minimize cost.”

For small businesses like Knapp’s Donuts, Lipuma’s Coney Island (also in downtown Rochester) and Dairy Treat on Auburn Road in Rochester Hills, the amount of money exchanged from customers is often small so the cash-only format is understandable.

“Debit or credit card machines add the cost of one-a-and-half or two percent to the total cost of running.”

— David Lee, owner of Knapp’s Donuts

“So much of our prices like cones, they’re small,” Mike Schultz, owner of Dairy Treat, said. “If you do charge cards, (the credit card companies) charge you for the swipe, they charge you for the transaction and it cuts into the profit margin.”

The nuisance of having a credit card machine is often one of the many issues holding back businesses from adding the format to their pay options.

“Debit or credit card machines add the cost of one-a-and-half or two percent to the total cost of running,” Lee said. “Getting to the bank, getting to the credit card company is an inconvenience.”

Adding these types of paperless transactions would also cut into the low prices for products offered at most small businesses.

“We’d rather keep our prices low,” Schultz said. “We really work hard at that because we know it’s a tough economic time for Michigan.”

Situations are most noticeable at gas stations all over metro Detroit when owners began charging extra for customers who prefer to use their credit cards to fill up their gas tanks.

“I’m surprised people would pay more for gas knowing it’s (an extra) eight or nine cents a gallon just to have a different transaction,” Schultz said.

Owners of these businesses are not against adding credit card machines to

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Lipuma’s Coney Island is one of many businesses that does not accept cards. their arsenal, but are afraid it would drive up their cost immensely.

“I wish I could have (ATM transactions), I feel like I’m losing business because of it,” Schultz said. “It’s just so costly for such small items.”

The inability of customers to use credit cards at local eateries has prevented sales in the past.

“I fortunately enough have a very lenient policy to my loyal customers, I say ‘you’ll take the donut today and come back later today and pay it back,’ ” Lee said. “It’s a good will. They’ll remember us next time they’re around.”

Businesses that accept cash only find that majority of their sales come from local and loyal customers who come prepared to have paper money on hand.

“I have a lot of repetitive customers, so if they miss the first time they try to make themselves remember,” Lee said. “They say, ‘next time they come to Knapp’s, I’ll bring cash.’ ” Even with devout customers, owners have concerns over a society that is constantly moving towards a cashless basis.

“It may be the wave of the future,” Schultz said. “We put out a good product that’s cheaper than anybody in town. To add another 20 cents to that, that’s my fear.

It may be the way we have to go.”

While small businesses resist the evolution of currency for now, it may have to be integrated down the line.

With satisfied customers happy over the low-priced goods, they should have no problem maintaining their status as some of the best local shops in town.

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Nation/World

June 15, 2011

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NEWS BRIEFS A look at significant current news events from around the globe:

1

1. United States

4 2

An appeals court upheld conviction of an animal groomer from Pennsylvania who attempted to sell kittens that had pieced ears, necks and bobbed tails.

Holly Crawford marketed the kittens online as “gothic.” In 2008, animal welfare seized three kittens and a cat from Crawford’s home. Crawford served six months of house arrest and was ordered to close her grooming shop for at least two years while she was on probation.

The state Superior Court ruled that Crawford’s animalcruelty conviction will stand, although Crawford appealed.

2. Egypt

Three new Egyptian political parties with no religious affiliation have emerged after the uprising that knocked President Mubarak out of power. Two of the parties are liberal and the other is social democratic.

The new parties have attracted a large following among Egypt’s protesters, who are seeking to find a counterbalance to the country’s largest Islamic group called the Muslim Brotherhood.

Many fear that the Brotherhood, which was outlawed by Mubarak, will sweep the upcoming elections and set an Islamic tone for the new constitution.

3. Japan

The operator of Japan’s tsunami-damaged nuclear plant said it is installing rooftop vents and taking additional safety measures at two other plants in case there are any severe accidents in the future. Tokyo Electric Power Co. said that vents will be added to seven reactors at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant in north-central Japan in northcentral Japan to prevent hydrogen explosions like those that occurred at the Fukushima Daiichi plant in midMarch. The Fukushima Daiichi plant had several hydrogen explosions after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

3

4. France

French lawmakers rejected a bill presented by the opposition Socialist Party that would legalize same-sex marriages. There has been growing public support for gay rights in France.

Same-sex couples in France can form civil unions, but there are few rights that accompany them. Bill supporters say that France has fallen behind when it comes to gay rights.

— Compiled from AP Reports by Megan Semeraz, Senior Reporter

Students don’t know much about US history Associated Press Report U.S. students don’t know much about American history, according to results of a national test released Tuesday.

Just 13 percent of high school seniors who took the 2010 National Assessment of Educational Progress, called the Nation’s Report Card, showed solid academic performance in American history.

The two other grades didn’t perform much better, which just 22 percent of fourth-grade students and 18 percent of eighth-graders scoring proficient or better.

The test quizzed students on topics including colonization, the American Revolution and the Civil War, and the contemporary United States.

For example, one question asked fourthgraders to name an important result of the U.S. building canals in the 1800s. Only 44 percent knew that it was increased trade among states.

“The history scores released today show

that student performance is still too low,” Education Secretary Arne Duncan said in a statement. “These results tell us that, as a country, we are failing to provide children with a high-quality, well-rounded education.”

Education experts say a heavy focus on reading and math under the federal No Child Left Behind law in the last decade has led to lagging performance in other subjects such as history and science.

“We need to make sure other subjects like history, science and the arts are not forgotten in our pursuit of the basic skills,” said Diane Ravitch, a research professor at New York University and former U.S. assistant education secretary.

Of the seven subjects on the national test, students performed the worst in U.S. history.

Officials with the National Assessment Governing board, which oversees the tests, say the results aren’t comparable to the other tests because different students take each

exam in different years.

The scores on the history test did not vary remarkably from years past; in 1994, for example, 19 percent of fourth-grade students scored proficient or better in U.S. history.

More than 7,000 fourth-grade students, 11,000 eighth graders and 12,000 high school seniors from a nationally representative sample took the test last year.

To be considered proficient, they had to get certain scores out of 500. For fourthgraders, the score was 243. Eighth-graders needed 294, and 12th graders had to get a 325.

Judy Brodigan, who was head of the elementary social studies curriculum for the Lewisville, Texas, school district for a decade, said history and social studies classes aren’t as much of a priority for school districts as math and reading.

She noted that many states only test history and social studies starting in middle school, which means elementary school students

don’t get the background they need in the subject.

“When the foundation isn’t built in elementary school, these students are coming to middle school lacking crucial skills,” Brodigan said. “What it means is that in what is becoming a more and more global society, American students are more andmore at a disadvantage.”

Educators said history is critical to students learning how to become better citizens and understanding how the country’s political and cultural systems work. Students need to not only recognize leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Abraham Lincoln, but also understand why they were important to the development of the country.

“Overall the quality and success of our lives can only be enhanced by a study of our roots,” said Steven Paine, former state schools superintendent for West Virginia.

“If you don’t know your past, you will not have a future.”

Features

14

June 15, 2011

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Children with cancer have new hope

By CLARE LA TORRE Copy Editor

The Bottomless Toy Chest, a nonprofit charity organization, is dedicated to providing pediatric cancer patients with crafts and educational and interactive toys.

BTC hopes such gifts will provide patients with empowerment and strength to overcome their illnesses, as well as provide them with much needed comfort during painful treatments and long hospital stays.

Mickey Guisewite founded BTC in 2008 after her son, Jack, was diagnosed with cancer.

Still a student at Oakland University, Rosalyn Calvaneso was the family’s nanny, and, interested in another internship before graduation, decided to join Guisewite in her pursuit.

Three years later, Jack is well and BTC is continuing to help children and families in similar situations.

Calvaneso has since graduated, earning a degree double majoring in English and journalism in 2009, and now works full-time as the organization’s program coordinator.

BTC started working primarily with the

JASON WILLIS/The Oakland Post

The BTC collected toys at the Summer Lovin’ Date Auction on June 4, which raised over $8,000 for children affected by cancer.

Children’s Hospital, but now works with others like Beaumont. In most cases, the group delivers the toys personally.

“The first time I went down to the hospital, I bawled my eyes out the whole car ride home,” Calvaneso said. “You don’t learn to live with it exactly, but you do learn to see it differently.”

All toys are wrapped in clear cellophane.

The plastic not only helps to protect the children’s already compromised immune

systems, but also lets them choose which toy they want.

“So many decisions are made for them every day. This gives them a sense of control — it’s the emotional side of treatment,” Calvaneso said.

BTC makes collections through drives, donations, fund-raisers and larger events.

In May, they held their second annual baby shower in honor of infants diagnosed with cancer — earning an amazing $36,000

— twice that of the event’s earnings last year.

In early June, they held their first date auction — an event created in hopes of raising awareness and support in a younger crowd, Calvaneso said, other than parents.

The group raised another $8,000.

“I’m so proud,” Calvaneso said. “It’s really a trial and error. We’re trying to find the perfect mix of events.”

BTC’s most celebrated event happens in December. Instead of hosting a fundraiser, the group instead hosts a Christmas brunch for the families affected by pediatric cancer.

At the brunch, children visit with Santa Claus and receive gifts while parents who have worked hard all year long to pay hospital bills are treated to something nice for themselves.

Those interested in helping can make donations online through BTC’s website, sponsor their own toy-drive or fundraiser or even host a wrap party — a supplied event to wrap already-collected toys.

BTC’s Kid2Kid program even allows kids to make a contribution of their own.

To learn more about BTC or how to help, visit www.bottomlesstoychest.org

Agape provides students a welcoming faith community

By SARAH HUNTON Staff Reporter

The University Ministry, a Catholic student organization at Oakland University, offers more than a place for Catholic students to come and discuss faith.

The organization is one of nine teams within the Agape community, which caters to young adults between 18-25 who want to participate in faith-related discussions or take part in service work.

Agape meets in smaller, discussion based groups.

One of their groups includes Coffee and Conversation, which meets at the Caribou Coffee across from OU’s campus every second and fourth Tuesday of the month.

At these meetings members bring in controversial current event articles and talk about them while incorporating their faith. “(The members) usually have a kind of spirited conversation,”

Lisa Brown, Oakland University’s Catholic University Minister and adviser to the organization, said. “It’s really a fun discussion of sharing.”

The University Ministry also holds a Scripture Study, which meets in Cafw O’Bear’s every second and fourth Wednesday from September until March.

Agape is based out of St. John Fisher Chapel, a Catholic church across from OU on E. Walton.

The church holds a Young Adult Area Mass on the second Sunday evening of every month.

Although it is a Catholic organization, Agape welcomes people of all faiths and beliefs.

“Anyone can join. It’s an absolutely open group. We have a Catholic identity, but it’s definitely an open door to all denominations. They connect and they find it meaningful,” Brown said. “I think a lot of people have this image that with Christians they are going to get slugged over

the head with the Bible … we’re kind of like the light touch.”

The organization will be hosting a kick-off picnic during Welcome Week where they will provide free food and T-shirts to welcome students back to OU. The group also holds graduation masses with a brunch reception for graduates in the spring.

Another component to the organization is building lasting and meaningful friendships.

Tara Finn Stenger, a communications graduate from OU, was able to grow closer to her now husband through her experiences with Agape.

“Agape has helped shaped who I am today,” Stenger said. “I have made life-long friends and connections through the group.”

“I have gained a lot of friends that I would never would have,” Katie Stark, 24, a psychology major at OU said. “Agape is also the first place in college where I felt that I was welcomed and that I

Photo courtesy of Lisa Brown

Students encourage new members to join Agape in the OC. belonged.”

According to members of the organization, Agape provides a sense of community that can often be difficult to find at a commuter college.

“I’m really glad I joined because it’s been pretty tough to make friends at OU,” Nick Fabian, 24, an art history major at OU said. “And this is like the most welcoming community that I’ve ever been a part of. So if anyone’s out there feeling lost, or like they

can’t make friends easily, or they just need someone to talk to even, Agape is the place to go.”

The University Ministry is also organizing a summer retreat for all OU students from August 13-14.

The retreat will take place at the Colombiere Center in Clarkston and will include activities that build both faith and friendships.

For more information, visit www.agapecommunity.net

June 15, 2011

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Dean McIntosh: On call 24/7

By ANDREA RIVERA Staff Intern

Dean of Students and Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs Glenn McIntosh believes in eating healthy and working out so he can ensure he has an abundance of energy when tackling his everyday obstacles.

Although he is only on campus from 8:30 a.m. until anywhere from 7-10:00 p.m, McIntosh is on call 24/7. As the Dean of Students, he handles everything studentrelated, and with the residence halls open 24/7, there is always something that needs to be addressed.

Upon arrival, McIntosh immediately checks his fax machine to find the Oakland University Police Department police log to see if anything needs his immediate attention.

He checks his email, the best way to contact him, like clockwork, as his schedule is unpredictable and he constantly receives email from students, faculty and others.

A firm believer in always being available to students, McIntosh also gives out his cell phone number so students are always able to contact him if an issue arises.

Many students and staff look up to him on campus.

“I think Dean Mac is an inspirational person. Every time I meet with him, I want to do better on the project I’m working on. He is an outstanding role model for students on campus,” Oakland University Student Congress Vice President Elisa

Malile said.

Whether it is in regard to an academic or non-academic conduct issue, a medical emergency, an issue that could not be resolved in another department or a new program that is on its way to being implemented, he is constantly in meetings throughout the day with students, faculty and outside vendors.

McIntosh said his greatest passion he finds in his job is helping people.

“Overall, it’s just seeing students come in with some real crisis issues, and you help them through those periods in their life,” he said. “And then you see them much later or at commencement, and you realize you had a hand in furthering their goals and ambitions.”

Even when dealing with an academic conduct case, he feels strongly about helping that person take time to deal with their issues and come back.

“To see people who we have to suspend, come back, there’s nothing better than to be seated on the stage at commencement and see them come past,” he said.

McIntosh did his undergrad at Central Michigan University and received his master’s from Wayne State University.

When he first came to OU 16 years ago, he created and was the first director of the Center for Multicultural Initiatives and started the Advising Resource Center.

From there, he moved to his current position of Dean of Students and Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs.

“One of my goals was to become a dean

at some point in my career,” he said.

And he did just that. McIntosh has held his current job for eight years.

McIntosh continues to try to come up with ideas, programs and initiatives that are out-of-the-box.

“A lot of these ideas are usually formed in conjunction with students, meeting with them, holding focus groups and really trying to find out how to connect with students and how to deliver services to students in a way they’re going to be receptive to it,” he said.

This summer, McIntosh is looking to work in conglomeration with OUSC to build a plaza between Kresge Library and the Oakland Center where students can gather, have cookouts, et cetera and also install more bike racks around campus and renovate a few offices.

He focuses on establishing close relationships with students, many who affectionately call him Dean Mac, and learning from them, especially in the way of technology. “(Giving attention to every student is) really kind of like what I pride myself on as opposed to just trying to push someone out the door because I have something else that’s pressing. I would rather lose sleep than to do that to someone. That’s a disservice at a critical moment in their life.”

— Managing Content Editor Nichole Seguin contributed to this report

SIERRA SOLEIMANI/The Oakland Post

Dean of Students and Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs Glenn McIntosh works on a personal level to improve students’ experience at OU.

OU student creates quickly-growing sports website

By SETH WALKER Staff Intern

Detroit Lions fans now have a new outlet to provide them a chance to read and talk about the team: Oakland University student Sam Arker’s sports website.

Arker, a business management major with a minor in marketing, decided to actively use his academic background to “benefit Lions fans” by creating Forward Down the Field: A Detroit Lions Community.

Arker said he has always been interested in web development and thinks the Lions fan base will increase.

“I’m always looking for a business opportunity and it just so

happened that the budget fits the bill,” Arker said.

Though he realizes there are other sites fans can go to get information about the Lions, Arker wanted to service them by creating a site to serve as a central point for team news and decrease the amount of web searching.

His goal is to provide the most-up-to-date Lions news on a daily basis. The site also includes rumors, predictions, video highlights and forums for fans to discuss their opinions.

DetroitLions.com, in contrast, only provides roster changes and news coverage, but no opinions, according to Arker.

Fans have the opportunity to win prizes from contests and

activity on the site.

“People can win jerseys, shirts, hats and other Lions apparel,” Arker said.

Arker said that maintaining his site is a “good challenge.”

“It’s a big challenge in terms of trying to keep content updated,” he said, “but it’s something I love to do.”

Arker’s site receives over 5,000 unique visits per day. With the amount of visitors Arker receives, he is always looking for feedback in order to improve the site.

“I receive feedback daily, good and bad,” he said. Most of the feedback has been about the articles that are preferred and features that fans would like to see on the site.

Though the upcoming NFL season may be in jeopardy due to the current labor dispute, Arker is creating charities to benefit the military, which will be implemented for the 2011 season.

The players, who keep in contact with Arker through Twitter, have agreed to pay the money to the charities.

Money will be paid to the charities based on player performance. One of Arker’s ideas is to donate $200 for every sack recorded by Ndamukong Suh. Arker receives help maintaining his site, particularly relating to its design.

“I have programmers that program codes into the site which reflect the design and overall

look,” he said.

Due to his programmers and RSS feeds used to automatically update content, he is able to focus on other site-related things.

His major day-to-day focus is “marketing and site development for the future.”

Currently, Arker is looking for anyone who is interested in providing columns and videos with their opinions and memories about the Lions.

When Arker talks about the Lions, he talks with great passion for the team and wants to give other members of the “Detroit Lions Fan Community” a chance to do the same.

Arker’s website is www.forwarddownthefield.com

16 // Features

June 15, 2011

www.oaklandpostonline.com

Aid available for veterans at OU

By EMMY HENSEL

Contributing Reporter

Oakland University’s Office of the Registrar and Veterans Support Services provide advice, assistance and guidance for military veterans when transitioning into college.

During the past winter semester, 155 veterans either in active duty, in the reserves or receiving rehabilitation services were enrolled at OU. Because of the Post-9/11 GI-Bill from United States Department of Veteran Affairs, effective since August 2009, veterans can receive financial support for education and housing.

The bill covers tuition based on the highest in-state price of a public institution, according to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.

The amount of support the veteran may qualify for depends on where they live and what type of degree they are pursuing.

G. I. Jobs, a magazine that provides information such as résumé, career and education tips for post-military success, characterized Oakland as a 2011 “Military

Friendly School” for providing veterans with world-class benefits in collaboration with the Department of Veterans.

“The military encourages leadership greatly,” Seth Walker, a senior majoring in journalism, said. “Leadership from the Air Force has encouraged me to be successful here.”

Walker said he was very naïve when he first enlisted at age 19 and that he has learned more in the past eight years about the world compared to his first 20 years.

Now a student and a retired Airman, Walker said he believes he appreciates his education more than the average student.

“Make the most of your chances,” Walker said. “A kid out of high school might not take advantage of his or her opportunity to go to school.”

Living the military lifestyle can also present challenges for soldiers.Walker explained how being deployed can bring a lot of stress into one’s life.

“It was difficult to see friends come and go and also being based in Alaska when it can be minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit some days

(was hard),” Walker said.

For the past eight years, Walker has addressed his authoritative figures as “sir” or “ma’ am,” but his education at OU has helped him return to a “civilian” lifestyle.

“Being surrounded by civilians 24/7 has helped me get out certain habits,” Walker said. “The first day of class, when addressing my professor, I used ‘ma’am.’ ” Mike Brennan, the veteran liaison for OU, is the first person to contact when enrolling at OU as a veteran. Brennan helps with students’ transitions from the military lifestyle to being an OU student.

As a liaison, Brennan answers questions from incoming veterans who want to attend OU and, when they are ready for registration, sends them to Ann Besaw, an employee in the Office of the Registrar.

Besaw sets up paperwork and connects veterans with an adviser to create a plan for their area of study.

Brennan, an Army veteran of six years, has been deployed in Iraq and lived in Korea.

“Being in the Army, I was able

JASON WILLIS/The Oakland Post

Seth Walker proudly displays his Air Force uniform. to see the world,” Brennan said.

During Brennan’s service, he was able to see different cultures from all over the world and gained an appreciation for their similarities and differences to American culture.

Because of his military experience, Brennan chose to major in anthropology.

Brennan was encouraged by his military branch to attend college

after his service. The military aid Brennan received drove him to be successful.

“I would be nuts to not take advantage of it,” Brennan said.

Brennan graduated after the winter 2011 semester concluded.

For their commencement ceremony, veteran students have the option to wear a red, white and blue cord recognizing their military service.

Student DJ among first to take dubstep to airwaves

By SIERRA SOLEIMANI Photographer

You may have heard him on Channel 95.5 as an intern on the Bombsquad, or perhaps on OU’s own radio station, 88.3 WXOU. DJ Alex Jahn is making a splash into the Detroit disc jockey scene starting with his dubstep show Fridays from 2-3 a.m. on WXOU and his dance and techno show, which airs Saturdays at the same time and place.

“I love the show because no other radio stations in the metro Detroit area play techno, let alone dubstep,” said listener Derek Kupisz. “What’s unique about him is that he creates a lot of the music he puts on the show, where most DJs just throw on a mix.”

Jahn’s musical career started long before he set foot on Oakland’s campus.

“I used to be in a band in high school and it was just too hard for all four of us to get together at the same time,” Jahn said.

Immediately after high school, Jahn’s music took a different direction — from creating to mixing.

“I reconnected with an old friend of mine who showed me the ropes of DJing and I really like the independence it gave me as an artist.”

Jahn’s show on WXOU is comprised mainly of dubstep, a sub-genre of drum and bass that originated in London, England. One of the most unique and representative sounds of dubstep is the distinctive “wobble bass” heard in nearly

every song of the genre. Unlike many other styles of music, in dubstep, the job of the DJ is to bring the impact of the song and experience to the listener, instead of delivering lyrical or vocal content.

Jahn said artists such as Tiësto, RUSKO and his mentor DJ Short Stop inspired him to be the DJ he is today.

He has spun at venues like Tonic, the Sky Club and Tiki Bob’s and is still continuing to expand both his portfolio and experiences as a DJ. “I haven’t had a nine-to-five since I was 18, but there are no 401Ks for DJs, so college is my backup plan,” Jahn said.

He said he hopes to eventually become a full-time DJ at Channel 95.5 and work his way up to playing big events like the Detroit Electronic Music

Festival and Electric Forest, perhaps even spinning with the MCs that drove him to become a DJ in the first place.

Although techno and dubstep are some of his favorite genres, Jahn said he thoroughly enjoys being self-employed and able to do all sorts of music for a wide variety of events.

The sub-grenre of dubstep is starting to gain more popularity among young club-goers, so if you still want to keep up with the hype of the club and are interested in DJs like Rusko, Skrillex, and DATSIK, check out DJ Alex Jahn’s show.

Or, if this show is past your bedtime, you can check out the podcast version of his shows off of his official Facebook, Facebook.com/DJalexjahn, or follow him on Twitter at Twitter.com/DJalexjahn

SIERRA SOLEIMANI/The Oakland Post

DJ Alex Jahn records his dubstep show in the WXOU studio.

The Scene

June 15, 2011

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FOSTER THE PEOPLE // “Torches” Listeners may be surprised when looking for more songs like the lead-off single “Pumped Up Kicks” from Foster the People’s debut album. Torches leads more of a dance-pop record, utilizing synths and groovy drum beats in a structured format, drawing heavy influences from modern acts like MGMT, without the sporadic experimental outbursts.

Photos by JASON WILLIS/The Oakland Post

ABOVE: Dan Layus, guitarist and vocalist for the alternative band, Augustana, performed at Clutch Cargos in Pontiac.

BELOW: The Maine’s diverse set took place before Augustana and after opening act, pop-punk frontman Austin Gibbs.

Captivating audiences The Maine, Augustana ignite the stage at Clutch Cargos REVIEW

By BRITTANY HANEY Staff Intern

Electrifying every stage, Augustana and The Maine are traveling together for the first time for a nationwide, co-headling tour.

On June 3, fans of all ages crammed into the small Clutch Cargos venue in Pontiac to witness these bands up-close and personal.

Coming all the way from Tempe, Ariz.

The Maine signed to their first label with Fearless Records in December 2007, then to Warner Bros. in 2009 and have been working diligently to get their name out in the mainstream.

Playing a variety of songs from both albums, The Maine kept the show upbeat and fun while also taking time to interact with the crowd.

While performing one of their most popular songs, “Girls Do What They Want,” singer John O’Callaghan passed his microphone to a front row fan who graciously finished the song and was then given a round of applause.

Along with showing a great appreciation for their fan base, The Maine held true to

their modern sound and never strayed far from the albums originality during their performance.

With multiple hit EPs, such as, “The Way We Talk” and “Stay Up, Get Down,” The Maine’s upbeat pop-rock sound, and distinct vocals have grabbed a wide range of fans from ages 13-30.

The Maine’s two full-length albums, “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop”, released in 2008 and the most recent, “Black and White” in 2010 gave The Maine a great foundation for the bands success.

Following The Maine’s performance on Friday, Augustana kicked off their soulful performance with “Sweet and Low,” one of the most popular songs on their second album, “Can’t Love Can’t Hurt”.

It wasn’t long before the crowd was fired up for a night full of strong, passionate vocals, note-crushing guitar solos and

beautiful piano ballads.

Augustana came a long way from their slow start at Greenville College in Illinois, where lead singer Dan Layus and former band mate Josiah Rosen began their journey to create the band many know and love.

Even having only four albums under their belt, Augustana has already grabbed the attention of many with albums such as “All The Stars and Boulevards” and their recently released self-titled album.

Layus conducted a heart-felt show performing a song written for his daughter, titled “Meet You There” and one of their biggest hits “Boston,” which sent the audience into dead silence.

Augustana is one of the few bands that can make fans feel the music and connect with the artists in a way that keeps them coming back for more.

While most of Augustana’s songs are acoustically driven and are played in a soft, folk-rock manner, the impact they have on their fans is anything but soft.

To finish off the night, Augustana, The Maine and opening act Austin Gibbs crowded the stage to perform a surprise cover of Tom Petty’s “Walls,” merging their talents together to create an unforgettable ending to the show.

CITY AND COLOUR // “Little Hell” Dallas Green of Alexisonfire released “Little Hell,” the anticipated follow-up to 2008’s critically acclaimed “Bring Me Your Love.” While the somewhat stripped down style of his previous albums has brought him to prominence, songs like “Fragile Bird,” among others, will show the listener another side to the multi-talented Green.

“SUPER 8” // 112 min. // PG-13 “Super 8,” the latest sci-fi project from J.J. Abrams, behind projects like Cloverfield and Lost, and produced by Steven Spielberg, brings a slew of unexpected twists and turns to the silver screen. The movie is already being regarded as one of the best in its category this year. Without giving away too much of the story, the film is based in 1979 around a group of young boys and a girl who are filming their own movie when they witness a train derail which brings an unknown and frightening presence in the town.

— Compiled by Scene Editor Kevin Romanchik and Staff Reporter Brian Figurski

18 // The Scene

www.oaklandpostonline.com

June 15, 2011

Creating the new Hollywood Student organization begins to mold the future of cinema

By MAYURI MUNOT Staff reporter

The Filmmaker’s Guild of Oakland University is stealing the spotlight this summer with a new line-up of summer films, new equipment and new procedures.

“Our ultimate goal for the summer and upcoming academic year is to provide an educational and practical venue for student filmmakers to learn, explore and express their talents,” said Kaelie Thompson, secretary of the Guild.

The Guild has completed filming on two short films: Greg Bastien’s “Stand for Something” and Sean McClellan’s “The Key to Happiness.”

The Guild hopes to have the majority of their short films finished by the beginning of the Fall 2011 semester to show current and incoming cinema studies students the filmmaking opportunities that OU offers.

“We’re trying to make products over the summer so that we can show students that we are here and we are a cohesive group,” said James Bialk, treasurer of the Guild.

Most of the actors in the short films are theater majors, but the Guild reaches out to English majors and other departments to establish more connections and to help write scripts, Bialk said.

A few students from the Guild recently collaborated with Producer Michael Manasseri for the second time.

The cast and crew wrapped up production on May 28 on a feature film called “Detention of the Dead.”

The film is a zombie comedy filmed in a closed-down high school in Pontiac.

OU students were involved in the film as interns, production assistants and stand-ins for the actors.

Some students were also able to film behind-the-scenes footage for the DVD, said Geneva Brunetti, president of the Guild.

“Many students, staff members and filmmakers want to keep this going as well, so that the opportunities for internships and experience can continue

SINEAD CRONIN/The Oakland Post

The members of the Filmmaker’s Guild of OU met in the Oakland Center to discuss updates and production procedures on May 31. and make Oakland University a name in the world of filmmaking,” Brunetti said.

“Our ultimate goal for the summer and upcoming academic year is to provide an educational and practical venue for student filmmakers to learn, explore and express their talents.”

- Kaelie Thompson, secretary of the Filmmaker’s Guild The Cinema Studies Department has also provided the Guild with new equipment. Kyle Edwards, advisor of the guild and director of the cinema studies program, has provided the Guild with new 16 GB SD memory cards ­­— to store footage, bongo bands — industrial rubber bands used with equipment during filming, a wireless microphone system and a new Lowel lighting kit.

“With these additions in equipment

and accessibility, we believe the FMG will have the resources needed to produce quality student films eligible for submission to various film festivals,” Thompson said.

All majors are welcome, no experience is required and there is no limit on the number of submissions that can be made The organization also provides the opportunity to expand professionally.

“Joining the Guild will help students build their resumes and get tons of experience,” Brunetti said.

With the Guild spitting out six short films in the summer with the help of their brand new equipment, the group is well on its way to bringing a whole new world of cinema to OU and its students.

Even though the Guild is fairly new and has only been operating for its second consecutive year, Oakland University and its cinema studies department could be the birthplace for a new generation of Hollywood actors, producers, directors, screenwriters, etc.

UPCOMING FILMS AT OU June 7 and 9, 2011: “All In” Relationship drama in which three friends chance their luck and love during a game of cards.

June 25 to July 1, 2011: “Disorder” Sci-Fi combat film set in the future, detailing a soldier’s struggle with the horrors and atrocities he experienced during his time in battle.

July 5 to July 12, 2011: “The Fine Line” Relationship drama that depicts the struggle of two people in committed relationships as they navigate the fine line between friendship and something more.

July 15 to July 25, 2011: “The Belefaire House” A portrayal of a maid’s disastrous struggle between good and evil as she tries to escape the oppressive Belefaire House in 1888.

Check back later this week at www.oaklandpostonline.com for The Oakland Post’s new technology and music blogs.

June 15, 2011

The Scene // 19

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Not your average Oscar Mayer weiner Representative Weiner in the spotlight

By BRIAN FIGURSKI Staff Reporter

Finally! The cosmos could not have aligned at a better moment. Being a humor ‘writer’, I am so excited I can douse this page with genital jokes and it fits in perfectly with the times. After all, bathroom jokes are my alma mater.

Now I just have to wait for Steve Skidmark to take position in a political office and do some public defecation, or Senator Clarissa Cleavage to have a wardrobe malfunction.

Then I can die a fulfilled life.

It brings me back to a quote from my dear old grandpap, “Immaturity is the sincerest form of flattery,” and then he cupped his hand in his armpit and made fart noises.

But I digress; on to the weiner jokes!

For those who have never heard of CNN or the Internet, Representative Anthony Weiner of New York has been caught sending a picture of his, umm, weiner, to a young woman over Twitter, a scandal now being dubbed ‘Weinergate’, This is going to be so hard to get through without snickering.

At this point, something like this is not an uncommon or surprising occurrence, although I once thought sexting was a fad tapped by teenagers. Now we have adults in positions of power abusing the Internet relentlessly.

Aside from the distasteful behavior displayed by Weiner, I see several other mistakes on his part, aside from getting caught.

Firstly, when Weinergate was first unleashed to the media, he denied that the photograph was of himself. Someone hacked his account, he was being framed, et cetera.

I’ve never heard of Anthony Weiner before his weiner, so I found it hard to believe someone would try to shatter the path of his political career. Exceptions to the rule would be disgruntled high school nerds he used to pick on, now capable of breaking into his social network accounts (password – kittens1), but even that was a stretch.

This was also obviously not true, because both the photograph and Weiner a similar mole.

Alright, so the guy finally admitted it was him. He gets off on sending pictures of his stuff to women. Weiner swears though he has never been sexually involved with the

Issue number three – Twitter? Really? You have the usages for websites all backwards. Twitter is a website for publishing short, humorous and racially-ignorant comments. If you want to flip out the bing-bong, use Chatroulette. woman in question.

That’s the second mistake. Weiner, I’ve done the same thing, flashed a shaft at an unsuspecting woman. The only thing it has ever done was scared them off and sent me home alone.

It has the nickname ‘junk’ for a reason.

Nobody wants to see genitalia for sight’s sake, male or female. If it’s not going to get used, don’t bother showing anybody. Words to live by – you can touch it, but don’t look at it.

That being said, I was rather impressed.

Issue number three – Twitter? Really? You have the usages for websites all backwards.

Twitter is a website for publishing short, humorous and racially-ignorant comments. If you want to flip out the bing-bong, use Chatroulette. People won’t even know it’s you, whether an unknown politician or a 23-yearold student journalist.

There is an overwhelming amount of individuals under the heat lamps in recent years over their sexual promiscuities, from Weiner to Elliot Spitzer, Mark Sanford, granddaddy Bill Clinton, and the list goes on. Slowly I am realizing that most men, probably including myself, are testosterone-inflated pigs.

So, Mr. Weiner, I hope you’ve learned from history here and decided to stop misusing technology to expose yourself to women and consequently to the entire world. From one dedicated flasher to another, if you have something to lose, don’t whip out the tube.

We can avoid any future Weinergates from accidentally slipping out if us deprived men can just suck it up and tuck it in.

Here’s to getting your political career back on track. If that doesn’t pan out however, it appears you could probably lead a lucrative career as a male stripper.

The views expressed in Mouthing Off do not necessarily reflect those of The Oakland Post.

June 15, 2011